Problem recogntion amongst harmful drinkers: a conceptual model for problem framing factors

Harmful drinkers are characterised by low problem recognition in that they typically see themselves as ‘non-problem’ drinkers, i.e., they describe themselves as free from alcohol-related harms and distinct from the ‘alcoholic other’. Harmful drinkers are currently underserved by interventions, including those promoting self-change, and represent an important opportunity in public health terms. Opportunities to enhance problem recognition amongst this group may include promoting continuum beliefs or other models that avoid threats presented by a disease-based understanding of problem drinking, notably stigma and the expectation lifelong abstinence. A conceptual model for problem recognition factors amongst harmful drinkers is presented